Tutu Tilly & Miss Paula

Doha looks like...

Some of you have asked to see more of Doha. Well, here you go...

On the school run, stuck at the traffic lights, this is my view to the left...

... and to the front. We arrive 35 minutes later.

After shopping at Villaggio Mall (the one with the indoor canal), I pass the 2006 Asian Games main stadium on my left.

Almost home. The is our compound, Green Village. In true Doha-style, I skip the lights and eventual u-turn, and instead jump up on the kerb in front of the compound. Shortcuts, it's all about the shortcuts.

Still growing into them ears...

DESS School Run

Here are my regular customers for the morning DESS school run. We used to be seven, but Elsie moved up to high school.

Tennis Fans

It is the Qatar ExxonMobil Open finals... Roddick vs. Murray. Quick game, but fun to be out and about. With Brendan away for four weekends, I'm happy for any distraction.

Seriously, tickets cost less than a coffee. You should come along next year!

Matilda gets hold of the camera...

... and that means self-portraits, lots of self-portraits!

Last Story with Mormor

Mormor leaves tonight, so Matilda enjoys a final stack of books...

I can see a family resemblance.

Ice Skating at the local mall

It's winter, so why not?

Starting the New Year in Style

Off to the Ritz-Carlton we go, to wish Kong Kong a safe journey home and Brendan a safe journey on his rally. It is brunch time!

A Qatari falcon in the foyer.

The free-flowing champagne got the boys to giggle, and both complimented each other on choosing wives who are automatic designated drivers.

A fun afternoon indeed.

Celebrating New Year's...

... with Fortnum Mason St James Christmas pudding (thanks Grandma!), and good friends the Bulsaras. We were tucked into our beds by 11pm...

I Still Love Storytime

Waiting for the New Year to roll around...

... and mucking around in a fez.

Petit Cadeau

Brendan is heading off on a trip of his lifetime I'm sure. He's doing the Budapest to Bamako rally in January (see link on left). As he prepares for all sorts of eventualities, the girls and I decide to help in our way.

We headed off to the shops to buy gifts for the children whom Brendan and his co-driver Peter will meet in Africa.

Here, the older girls are sorting out crayons, colouring books, notepads, stickers, rulers, balloons, small toys, marbles, badges, etc.

Well done girls! They made 100 gift bags and can't wait to hear about the kids who will receive them.

It's my birthday!

Dinner and board games was the order of the night. Gravlax, Dad's extraordinary Caesar salad, and pasta marinara, followed by Louise's delicious carrot cake and GF chocolate mudcake. Good food, great friends. Perfect!Gee, those 280 years went quick!Always fun to see Mormor after a few Baileys. Like mother, like daughter.

Bop It! Twist it! Pull it!

Villaggio Mall

Some of you may not realise that we have an indoor canal with fake blue sky above, and Venetian gondolas steered by a Filipino man dressed in authentic costume at our local mall. Very kitsch, and also very fun!

Happy customers.

Thai Dinner

Couldn't resist posting this photo of Matilda inhaling some (a lot!) of pad thai! Yum Yum!

Beach Day at Al Wakra

Lovely winter days at the beach. Fun for the whole family... mum, dad, mormor, kong kong, 2 kids, dog and 2 kayaks!

The kayak got the better of Kong Kong... brrrr, the water is cold!

Chippies!!

Best kite flying day.

Look, no hands!

Blading Fun

The girls go for a late night blade.

Gotcha!

Boxing Day Activities

A new park has opened down the road, so we went to check it out.Isabelle and Zoe, another Perth girl from our compound.The locals LOVE children, so here Matilda shares the spotlight. Geese in Doha?? Wonders never cease.

Racing up the hill.

Everyone is out enjoying the wonderful winter weather.